Government and Media Relations
Advocacy is an important service that AACHC provides to the members of AACHC. The principal function of the AACHC’s advocacy program is to inform public officials at the State and Federal level, on the advantages of CHCs and the quality healthcare services they provide. The advocacy team also works closely with other health and human service organizations and public policy makers to aid in the development of sensible, thoughtful and meaningful healthcare policies. The AACHC advocacy team is comprised of the Director of Government and Media Relations, AACHC’s CEO, and the Legislative Advisory Committee, which is made up of six members of the Board of Directors. The Advocacy team works closely with members of the Arizona State Legislature and their staff, the Governor’s office, state agencies and other stake holder groups to ensure that Community Health Centers have the support needed to continue providing high quality, affordable healthcare in underserved areas throughout the state.
Federal Advocacy for Health Centers:The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010. Community Health Centers were at the epicenter of the law, as their model of primary and preventative healthcare was seen as the optimal way to:
1) Provide quality healthcare
2) Guarantee access to healthcare
3) Ensure cost savings to consumers and the healthcare industry
Thanks to strong advocacy efforts at the state and federal level, even the most vocal critics of the healthcare reform law support PPACA provisions that strengthen Community Health Centers and grow the primary healthcare workforce through the expansion of the National Health Service Corps. AACHC members joined in the advocacy efforts of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) to educate their Congressmen and Congresswomen on the importance of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Five of the eight members of Arizona’s Congressional delegation voted in support of the Stimulus funding and the Affordable Care Act. They cited their support for CHCs as one of the primary reasons they voted for stimulus funding and the PPACA.
State Government Relations:
AACHC’s advocacy efforts have a strong state presence too. AACHC’s advocacy efforts focus on educating all public policy makers on the significant role of Health Centers in the healthcare arena.
Grassroots Dynamic:
The Director of Government and Media Relations coordinates the Association’s grassroots efforts. AACHC’s grassroots advocacy is a vital component of the advocacy efforts. A strong grassroots network is the key to a successful Legislative agenda. The CEOs, CHC Board members, staff members and patients of Arizona’s Community Health Centers assist in AACHC’s and the National Association of Community Health Centers’ advocacy efforts. Armed with data, fact sheets and personal stories they update their Legislators and Congressmen on what the CHCs in their districts are doing to improve access to healthcare in the communities they represent. A strong grassroots advocacy effort also enables Community Health Centers to obtain the resources and support they need to continue delivering affordable, quality and comprehensive health care to medically underserved and uninsured people in Arizona.
A strong network of healthcare groups, health plans community groups, business groups, and human services advocates are crucial to the success of AACHC’s advocacy program. The advocacy team works very closely with other organizations to promote legislation that will improve healthcare for all of Arizona’s citizens.
The grassroots network was most effective during the elections for state and federal offices. Despite the attention on Health Centers at the federal level, many congressional candidates and candidates for the state legislature were not fully aware of the valuable services that CHCs provide to their communities. AACHC’s advocacy director and various health center staff met with candidates in their districts to give them tours of the facilities and educate them on the services that health centers provide to the people in their community
The advocacy team works with the Arizona Congressional delegation, Congressional staff and the National Association of Community Health Centers throughout the year on federal healthcare issues that will assure access to healthcare for all. Grassroots advocacy is an important component of federal advocacy efforts and AACHC’s members often communicate with their Congressmen and Congresswoman to affect a positive outcome for FQHCs in the state. For their efforts, the AACHC is deeply grateful since their participation is a key component of our continuing success.